CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Monty Python's Spamalot (2005 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Eric Idle, John Du Prez, Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Hank Azaria

Release Date May 03, 2005
Love it! If you are a fan of Monty Python's Holy Grail you will not be disappointed!

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Myths And Hymns (1998 Off-Broadway Cast, Originally Saturn Returns)

by: Adam Guettel, Todd Ellison, Audra McDonald, Darius de Haas

Release Date March 30, 1999
This is an amazing work of emotional, passionate, and very creative music. Its facinating melodies are very complex and its themes are powerful. This is a masterpiece of artful composition, but it is not a CD for those with frivolous tastes. It is very beautiful and involved music so if you dwell on the music of Hairspray or Grease, this is definately not an item for you, but if you really appriciate the true purpose of music then I am confident that you'll fall in love with Guettel's work!

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

42nd Street (2001 Revival Broadway Cast)

by: Al Dubin, Michael Cumpsty

Release Date June 12, 2001
I originally bought this simply because it featured the then down-and-out and now (after "Grey Gardens") legendary Christine Ebersole as faded diva Dorothy Brock. Better casting I could not imagine - and she proves it in her every appearance on this recording. Sadly that's not often.
This cast recording belongs to its ensemble, a brilliant crew of performers who shine in every number. Though this is a cast heavy show with a long line-up of leads and featured players, no one performer dominates this cast recording. You will be astonished at how many numbers credit the participation of the "ensemble" or the "full company". But it has to be said the result is a long line up of soaring numbers that more than live up to the potential of these famous songs. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Amour (2002 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Michel Legrand, Melissa Errico, Malcolm Gets

Release Date July 08, 2003
While one would be hard-pressed to call this a masterpiece, AMOUR is a charming, heart-felt piece which grows in impact as you revisit it. This recording is pretty darn close to perfect, with a masterly performance by the under-rated Malcolm Gets and an enchanting Melissa Errico. if you need a "taste" to convince you of this album, sample "Somebody", "My Special Time of Day" or the title number. The singing on each of these is gorgeous and the melody soars in a gentle, wistful, oh-so-Legrand kind of way. Some of the patter numbers are more derivative, with lyrics that strain to be witty (and some that are clearly meant to strain to be witty, which is what MAKES them witty). The supporting cast does the heavy lifting in these numbers, and are rewarded by each being ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Bright Eyed Joy: The Songs of Ricky Ian Gordon

by: Audra McDonald, Dawn Upshaw, Todd Ellison, Judy Blazer, Ted Sperling, Kenneth Burward-Hoy, Jesse Levy, Lawrence Feldman, Darius de Haas

Release Date April 24, 2001
Ricky Ian Gordon is a very talented composer and poet, and the songs on "Bright Eyed Joy" display his magnificent gifts. There is not a contemporary composer who has his talent of fitting text to music, and the singers on this disc bring his compositions alive. Track 17, "Once I Was," will make you weep!